Audio Note Kageki User Manual

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Congratulations and thank you for your purchase of the Audio Note Kageki mono power
amplifiers. The Kageki is a Pure Class A Parallel Singled Ended valve amplifiers that
uses the highly regarded 2A3 directly heated triode valve. The Kageki produces a level of
performance that is radically superior to current designs and was specifically designed for
sonic performance rather than technical specifications. It also fulfills all Level 5 criteria.

-Pure Class A operation.

-Zero negative feedback.

-Single ended output stage.

-Valve rectification.

-Directly heated Triode.

-Materials and component quality.

This Level 5 amplifier has the following features: Audio Note silver wired output
transformer, silver signal capacitors, AN-Vx silver internal wiring, 2W Tantalum
resistors and the best available NOS valves.

UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION

These amplifiers are shipped without the valves installed. It is necessary to install
the valves first. It is essential that the valves are installed correctly or serious
damage that is not covered by the warranty will result. We recommend that your
dealer does this for you.

Installing the valves

Please take care when unpacking the amplifiers as they are fairly heavy and place on a
suitable clean space (table or floor) it is recommend that you store the packaging
materials in case the unit requires shipping at a later date.
Carefully unwrap all the valves. You will find 1x 5692, 2 x 2A3 and 1x 5U4G valves for
each amplifier.

Looking from the front of the amplifier, the first valve to insert is the 5692 valve which
goes into the first valve base at the front of the amplifier.
Inspect the locating pin on the bottom center of the valve and align with the valve base
(the locating pin can only go in one way round due to a locating spigot) and with gentle
but firm pressure insert the valve.

Looking from the front of the amplifier, the next valve to plug in is the 5U4G valve
which goes into the last valve base at the back of the amplifier.

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Inspect the locating pin on the bottom center of the valve and align with the valve base
(the locating pin can only go in one way round due to a locating spigot) and with gentle
but firm pressure insert the valve.
Looking from the front of the amplifier, the next valves to install are the 2A3 valves
which are inserted into the two 4 pin valve bases in the middle of the amplifier.

It is absolutely vital that these valves are fitted correctly

(1) The larger pins must face the front of the amplifier when fitted to their valve bases.

(2) The sticker on the valves base must also line up with the sticker on the copper top
plate, that is, A to A, B to B etc., or 1 to 1, 2 to 2 and so on.

Please make sure that both (1) and (2) are correct and with gentle but firm pressure insert
the valves into their sockets.
Check again that all valves are fully inserted in the correct way in their respective valve
sockets.
Follow the above installation for both amplifiers.

Installation

Select a suitable location for the units ensuring that adequate ventilation clearance is
provided allowing at least 30cm. of space above the units. This is an important
consideration as the amplifier generates substantial heat during normal operation. Be sure
not to install the amplifier into a cabinet with restricted air flow or onto a thick pile
carpet.
In the interest of safe, reliable operation situate the amplifier away from dampness or
direct sunlight. Site the unit on a flat and firm surface capable of sustaining the
amplifier’s weight. Worthwhile sonic improvements may be obtained by locating the
amplifiers on a purposely designed audio support system.

CONNECTION – Inputs

Each amplifier has a single RCA socket on the back panel for connection to your
preamplifier marked as Input. The sockets are colour coded Black for Left channel and
Red for Right channel.

CONNECTION – Speakers

Each amplifier is equipped with three colour coded standard binding posts for connection
to your speakers.
Connect the amplifiers black speaker output binding post marked as “ 0 ” to the black
terminal (also marked “ – “) on the speaker.
Connect the amplifiers red speaker output binding post marked “8 Ohm” to the red
terminal (also marked “ + “) on the speaker.